Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 26, 1990 TAG: 9007260578
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A/5 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: JILL LAWRENCE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The Senate voted 96-0 Wednesday to denounce Sen. Dave Durenberger for financial wrongdoing. But first, senators called the Minnesota Republican a man of conscience, of influence, of decency. Afterward they lined up to hug him, shake his hand and pat his shoulder.
He is, after all, one of them.
And, as Sen. Bill Armstrong, R-Okla., put it, "After this is all over and we denounce him, we still want him to be our friend."
Durenberger was disciplined for violating Senate speaking fee and gift limits, misleading the Senate on real estate transactions involving his Minneapolis condominium and converting a campaign contribution to personal use.
The Senate also ordered him to make restitution of up to $123,000 for money he received improperly. Durenberger has agreed to repay the money.
The judgment marked the 24th time in 201 years that the Senate disciplined one of its own. The main case against him was made by Sen. Howell Heflin, D-Ala., chairman of the Ethics Committee.
"I wish there was ambiguity here, but there is none. I wish I could find innocence, or at most inadvertence, or inattention, or simple ignorance in Sen. Durenberger's actions here, but I cannot," Heflin said somberly.
Durenberger sat nearly impassive through the three hours of emotional remarks, clasping his hands tightly at times and staring intently at each senator who spoke.
The debate was unusually personal, with senators referring frequently to Durenberger simply by his first name. And the chamber was unusually full, with all committee business suspended for the solemn proceeding.
Durenberger made his reputation building bridges among senators, politically and personally, and many of them indicated they could not forget that as they struggled with their duty.
"As senators we must unflinchingly exercise the judgment which is required," said Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich. "As a human being, I remain a steadfast friend of Dave Durenberger's and an admirer of the legislative work he has accomplished."
Several senators said they found it hard to reconcile the evidence with the cheerful, capable man who for 12 years has played major roles in legislation affecting the disabled, minorities, the elderly, rural communities, the environment and health care.
"We all know what happened. Some of us watched it with startled mien," said Republican Whip Alan Simpson of Wyoming. "I still cannot understand," said Sen. Warren Rudman, R-N.H., vice chairman of the ethics panel.
Durenberger has said his judgment was impaired by family problems - the death of his first wife, a troubled remarriage, four sons going through difficult adolescences and tremendous financial stress.
But Rudman said none of that could excuse his conduct. And Durenberger, looking him in the eye from across the aisle, nodded solemnly in agreement.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, noted with approval Durenberger's "resolve to reform," a theme that suffused the Minnesotan's brief floor remarks after the vote.
He vowed to be a better man, a better senator. He said he would work harder, shoulder more responsibility.
He called the moment an ending but also a beginning. "I ask your forgiveness," he said. "I need your friendship."
Later, Durenberger said his decision to "take my medicine" and forge onward rather than resign was due to strong support from his colleagues.
He said their comments Wednesday "caused me to believe that if anything, I'll be even more effective" in the future.
Durenberger, who has four years before he must face voters back home, was not the only one who saw good coming from his ordeal.
"He could have withered and fallen into self-pity and bitterness," Simpson said. Instead, he said, "I have seen my friend soften and mature and grow in this terrible process."
"Sometimes hard times bring people together," said Sen. David Pryor, D-Ark., a member of the ethics panel. He said the Senate has not always been congenial lately, but "today I sense a sense of feeling together, a sense of closeness and a sense of brotherhood."
by CNB